The brothers behind the creation of the Powstanie Premium Cigar Portfolio Line are Mike and Greg Szczepankiewcz and they are proud to introduce its latest release, the Powstanie Robusto which has a captivating San Andres Wrapper. This premium addition, crafted at the Fabrica de Tabaccos Nica Sueno in Estelí, Nicaragua, features a San Andres wrapper, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long fillers, ensuring bold and complex flavors with an intense smoking experience. Currently available in four sizes, Robusto, Toro, Belicoso, Short Perfecto and a Corona Gorda size set to launch soon, the new Robusto release exemplifies the high standard upheld by the brand owner Mike Szczepankiewcz—a seasoned cigar retailer and wholesaler with over fifteen years in the industry whose commitment to quality has made Powstanie Cigars a favorite among afficionados.
Under the Lid
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
- Binder: Ecuadorian Habano
- Fillers: Nicaraguan & Dominican
- Factory: Fabrica de Tabaccos Nica Sueno S.A. Estelí Nicaragua
- Vitola: 5 x 50 Robusto
- Released Date: February 22, 2025, at a national release date held at the Brass Pipe Cigar Lounge in Ford Pierce, Florida
- Production: Regular
- MSRP: $12.00 to $14.00 per cigar – a box of twenty-one count can run you between $239.00 to $269.00
PRE-LIGHT PHOTO
BEGINNING NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS
Just as I removed the cellophane sleeve, the Powstanie San Andres Robusto has a pleasant aroma of Earth, cooking spice, pepper, leather and the smell of freshly raked leaves. Upon inspection, the appearance of the wrapper was that of a dark chocolate candy bar with a few visible veins. I noticed a lack of surface oil which is unusual of Mexican San Andres wrapper, however, the seams are tight and are so well constructed that because of its maduro color, I must look closely to discover any. Despite the firm feeling, I still gave it a gentle squeeze and the cigar reveals a medium density suggesting solid construction. Slight toothiness is notable on a nice sunny day and not visible with dim light.
The band appears fluorescent red with midnight black and some white outlining the word Powstanie meaning “Uprising”. The logo includes a symbol signifying the Polish Uprising during War War II. A secondary band with San Andres written on it has been placed below the primary band.
Upon further inspection, the foot of the cigar is not perfectly round. It’s irregular in nature. It almost represents a boxed pressed shape, but only at the foot of the cigar.
On the other hand, the double cap seems to be perfectly round and centered with some slight imperfections while looking at the final product. I opted for a straight cut. The cold draw has hints of cedar, earth, wet leather and natural tobaccos. Let’s light ‘er up.
Performance Notes
First Third:
On the first third of the experience, prominent hints of pepper immediately tease the senses, setting a lively stage for what’s to come. As you draw in, an intricate blend of earthiness and spiciness emerges, underscored by a nutty note reminiscent of a spicy beer nut. This complex foundation is quickly elevated by a bold burst of strong coffee, much like a doppio espresso from Starbucks, providing a fresh caffeine kick that awakens every fiber. The generous smoke output carries these multifaceted flavors, creating an intense and invigorating opening that promises even greater depth as the cigar continues to unfold.
Second Third:
In the second third, the experience took an intriguing turn as I retro haled for the first time. This maneuver unleashed a burst of char-broiled flavors, mingling with spicy baking spices and the smoky tang of burnt toast. As I continued smoking, the taste evoked vibrant memories of my mother’s Mexican dishes—think rich sweet and spicy chocolate mole and the zesty kick of Chile Guajillo infusing the moment with a culinary complexity. These bold flavor combinations layered an extra depth onto the experience, transforming each draw into a dynamic interplay of heat, pepper, spice, and savory allure.
The burn produced a contrasting black and white ash, creating a visually striking pattern. However, the ash structure left something to be desired and it held just shy of two inches before giving way. It struggled to maintain its integrity, falling prematurely on two of the three cigars in review never quite achieving the satisfying length expected from a well-constructed cigar. Despite this, the burn remained consistent, and the smoke output stayed generous, maintaining the cigar’s bold and complex profile. No re-lights were necessary.
Final Third:
In the final third, the pepper and spice remains at the forefront especially while retro-haling harmonizing beautifully with earthy notes and the lingering taste of spicy nuts. The doppio espresso has faded, and the charbroiled undertone has completely disappeared, allowing the remaining flavors to take center stage. The cedar and leather notes, which were present at the dry draw never fully developed throughout the smoking experience.
Interestingly, the cigar took an unexpected turn towards the last ten minutes of my smoking journey by downgrading from full to medium strength—a surprising shift, as most cigars tend to build in intensity toward the finish. As the experience winds down, a delicate note of unsweet citrus tea emerges, offering a refreshing cleanse to the palate and leaving a lingering curiosity, wishing that a subtle sweetness had surfaced earlier in the journey, or the dark chocolate had resumed and carried on throughout the vitola.
Core Flavors:
Pepper, Spice, Doppio Expresso, Spicy beer nuts, earth, Charbroiled flavors
Strength: Full
Body: Medium+ Full
Complexity: Medium+ Full
Smoking Experience:
I do want to mention, the Powstanie San Andres offers a rich, medium-to-full-bodied experience that is best suited for seasoned smokers. Its bold profile makes it less ideal for beginners, as it delivers robust and complex flavors. Given its strength, it’s best enjoyed after a hearty meal rather than on an empty stomach, ensuring a more enjoyable and balanced smoking experience.
Although the cigar felt solid to touch, the irregularity of the foot was not circular, almost boxed pressed in nature on two of the three cigars reviewed. This could possibly explain why the ash couldn’t hold its length. This subtle design variance could be affecting the steady combustion needed for a long, consistent ash, thereby diminishing the overall smoking experience. It lacked visual appeal from the start which distracted from its intended presentation. The Powstanie San Andres did performed well overall with notable aspects and potentially some small areas that could be improved for an even better experience. I want to add that when I purchase a cigar, the overall look matters to me. It sets the tone for the entire smoking experience. This cigar missed that mark. It lacked the inviting appeal I look for.
Purchase recommendation: Try a Sample
Cigars Smoked: Three
Average Smoking Time: 59 minutes
